Project: Partner with Community Action to assist and promote building a new playground at the Community Kids Learning Center. Members: Jake Hess, Dave Kipp, Jean Miller, Jolene Terrones, Shandra Thomas Description: “Play it Forward” is a partnership with Community Action to assist and promote building a new playground at the Community Kids Learning Center. This will provide children with a safer, development-appropriate learning environment. Improvements to the facility will help Community Action integrate outdoor play with social skills, gross motor skills, and creative training. It may also increase the facility’s rating with the state and provide additional financial opportunities. Our team will obtain sponsors for materials and supplies, build bike barns and Plexiglas fence, organize a work day, and promote community involvement and knowledge of the project and organization. Our project will also demonstrate to the kids and their families a sense of commitment and community pride. This will offer a better-rounded social, physical, and gross motor educational project for years to come.

2. Jolene Terrones
 11 years special education teacher
 3 years assistant principal
 Lives in Oregon, WI
 Bachelor’s Degree - UW Whitewater
 Master’s Degree – Cardinal Stritch University
 Master’s Degree – National Louis University

3. Shandra Thomas
 Shandra Thomas
 Senior Personal Banker
 5 years with BMO Harris Bank/ previously M&I Bank
 Born and raised in Janesville- Rock County
 Attended Washington Elementary,
Franklin Middle School, and Parker High School
 Associate's Degree from UW- Rock County in Arts and Science

4. Jean Miller
 Project Manager
 27 years with ANGI Energy Systems
 Born and raised in Milton & Janesville

5. Dave Kipp
 Janesville Transit System
 Operations Supervisor
 5 years at JTS
 20 years at Beloit Transit System
 Born and raised in Beloit
 Attended Waterman Grade School, Roosevelt Junior High, Beloit High
School (all in Beloit)
 Associates Degree from Moody Bible Institute in Communications

6. Jake Hess
 Johnson Bank
 Branch Manager 2 Years
 Banking Industry 17 Years
 Lives in Beloit
 Business Administration –
Rockford College

7. Community Action, Inc. of Rock and
Walworth Counties

8. Community Kids Learning Center

9. Equipment is worn out
Does not enhance the child’s
development
Current Playground

10. Current Storage
Current
storage
buildings are
in disrepair
and cannot
house all the
equipment

11. YoungStar Wisconsin
Program
Studies show that children who experience engaging
one-on-one activities and have safe, healthy and
nurturing learning environments:
• Have a better chance to graduate from high school
• Are less likely to engage in criminal activity
• Are less likely to qualify for special education
programs
• Earn higher wages
• Have a better chance at lifelong success

12. YoungStar Wisconsin
Program
YoungStar rates child care providers in the state
• A one to five star rating system is used
• The goal is to attain a five star rating
A financial incentive is tied to the rating system
• 4 Stars = Increase of up to 10% of Wisconsin Shares
subsidy
• 5 Stars = Increase of up to 25% of Wisconsin Shares
subsidy

13. YoungStar Wisconsin
Program
Community Kids currently has a 4 Star rating
A Five Star rating cannot be obtained with the
current playground
The playground needs age-specific play areas
Areas for special outdoor learning classes
It needs areas that target:
• Age-specific gross motor skill development
• Age-specific social interaction & development

14. It’s Time for a New Playground
Cozy Dome Omni Spinner

15. New Playground design

16. 0-2 year old area
Shade area, Moveable Structures (slide,
etc.)
Playhouse

19. School and Community Involvement
 Craig and Parker High School – Combined Advanced Construction Class
 Teacher, Joe Kruser
 25 students from both Craig and Parker
 Working Classroom and Apprenticeship
 3408 Widgeon Janesville, WI
 Bike Barns & Plexiglas Fence

20. School and Community Involvement
 Parker High School – Advanced Placement Art &
National Art Honor Society
 Teacher, Rebecca Diener
 5-7 Students

21. Bike Barns (2) – $4000 Materials
Labor - donated

22. Plexiglas Fence - $800 Materials
Labor Donated

23. Our community will
build this playground
Sponsors/Organizations already involved in the revitalization:
• Data Dimensions
• Janesville Noon Kiwanis
• MacFarlane Pheasants, Inc.
• Blackhawk Community Credit Union
• Alliant Energy Systems
• Gerber Leisure Products
Leadership Development Academy Group project representing:
• ANGI Energy Systems
• BMO Harris Bank
• Janesville Transit System
• Johnson Bank
• School District of Janesville

24. How to donate
Visit playitforwardjanesville.org
for more information and secure online donations.
Mail a check to:
Play It Forward Campaign
c/o Community Action
20 Eclipse Center
Beloit, WI 53511
Contact Lynn Vollbrecht at (608) 313-1321
lvollbrecht@community-action.org

25. Please Join us
at
Community Kids Learning Center
2230 Center Ave.
Janesville, WI 53546
To rebuild the playground
Date TBD